Hannah Martin

Research Associate

 

 Hannah is an energized food systems professional with a decade of expertise leading collaborative initiatives and cross-functional teams. Driven by a passion for fostering alignment across diverse sectors, she brings a unique blend of experience in nutrition, food systems, and community engagement. After earning a dual degree in Dietetics and Nutrition Food Science from the University of Vermont, Hannah began her career at the nonprofit Boston Public Market Association. Joining the team during the final stages of construction, vendor recruitment, and operation planning, she played a key role in launching the year-round indoor market, which supports over 30 permanent local New England purveyors in downtown Boston.

 Following a year of travel with Outstanding in the Field, Hannah settled in Salt Lake City where she transitioned into the public sector. She worked at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services for seven years, significantly expanding nutrition incentive programs across the state. Through her work, she strengthened partnerships between public health, local agriculture, and community organizations, helping to improve access to healthy and locally grown food for underserved populations. During this period, she also earned a master’s degree in Public Health Nutrition from Utah State University.

 Currently living a nomadic lifestyle, Hannah is exploring the country to find some of the best mountain biking, rock climbing, and donut destinations. Her travels fuel her creativity and passion for connecting with people and the places that ground them, wherever she goes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Whatcom County Food System Plan

In 2021, the Whatcom County Food System Committee conducted a community food assessment that pointed to key opportunities to build a more robust and resilient regional food system. New Venture Advisors partnered with Whatcom County staff and the Food System Committee to draft a Whatcom County Food System Plan that builds upon these findings. This Plan focuses on five key goals for building a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient food system, and was informed by an inclusive community engagement process. The Food System Plan will provide the county with a policy roadmap that will strengthen the local food system for years to come. (2023)

 Whatcom Local Food Campus

The Whatcom Community Foundation invests in activities and organizations that improve the ability of people to help themselves, increase connections among people, and take cooperative approaches to community issues. WCF is exploring the development of a local food campus on a waterfront property that would become a multi-tenant site, anchored by a collaborative production kitchen benefitting food access, school system, and community organizations. The goal is strengthening Whatcom County’s local food system by promoting health equity, forging tangible strategic connections between food production organizations, and helping farmers connect with institutional markets. The facility will also feature an incubation kitchen, demonstration kitchen, event and classroom space, collaborative office and conference facilities, and housing.  New Venture Advisors developed the business case for this ambitious project and continues to support its development through engagement and operational development. (2023)